Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery project comes to an end.

And so we have come to the end of the Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery in Claregalway Shopping Centre.

This pop-up shop opened on October 10th 2011, in time for 'Galway Craft Month' and featured in the brochure published with the support of Galway County Council, Galway Enterprise and the Crafts Council of Ireland. On 10th May 2012 Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery will close its doors.
In the seven months since the opening we have showcased the work of over 50 craft-makers, artists and designers in the gallery and have held numerous workshops with some of these artists in the studio including patchwork, crochet, feltmaking, printmaking, photography, hand-made journals, sock-animals for children, sewing skills, sketchbooking and more.

In addition the Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery invited the community to participate in a weekly 'crafty morning' in the studio. This became a very enjoyable fixture on the calendar as we helped each other complete work in progress.

So, sadly it is time to close this pop-up venture. We hope that before long Galway has another venue to showcase the work of all of these talented makers once more.

Please stay in touch with our craft-makers through the links on this page and on the Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery page on Facebook. Also follow 'Made in Galway' on Facebook to hear of future plans for Galway craft-makers and food-producers.

To all of our lovely loyal customers we say a very big THANK YOU! Thank you for supporting the work of local craft-makers, thank you for attending the workshops and for making Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery such a vibrant creative space.

These beautiful 'balancing boats' hand-made in Loughrea have just arrived at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery. Beach, ash and walnut are just some of the woods used to great effect. Drop by to see and feel these lovely wooden pieces which will make a great gift for someone special.

Embroidered cuffs by Berni McCabe at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery

Make a wish, smile and be inspired by Berni McCabe's beautifully crafted embroidered cuffs at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery. This Galway-based textile artist finds inspiring ways to upcycle and re-invent vintage textiles and embellishements. Every item shows her love of colour, texture and attention to detail. Drop in and see these little treasures as well as her famous 'I love Galway' buttons!

Learning how to make a hand-bound journal with Una Jordan at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery

Una Jordan arrived at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery this morning with all the materials and tools needed to allow us to make our own hand-bound A5 journals. This box of waxed linen threads in gorgeous colours provided some inspiration.

Glue brush, bone folder, awl, pencil, darning needles, beautiful papers for the cover and coordinating ribbon for the spine and we were ready to start.

Our journals were made up of 4 x A4 pages folded to A5 size and formed into 'signtures'. 10 signatures were needed for each book. This makes an A5 journal with a total of 78 pages (as 2 are glued to the inside cover).

Here some rocks from Una's pond provide the necessary weight to press the book once it's completed.

Here is just one of the books made by the group today. Ready to take home and keep or to give as a gift to someone special.

This was a really enjoyable workshop from 10am to 4pm, including a wonderful lunch at the nearby Treat Café and of course the usual tea/coffee and biscuits in the studio, materials also included for a total of €60. Great value and great fun!

Easter chicks!

Beginners Crochet Class 4 went well this week!

Crochet vs knitted chicks battle it out for the cutest Easter Chick award!

Beginners get to grips with shell stitches. Two patterns were achieved, shells in shells and shells on shells!

And some completed homework!

Make a hand-bound journal with Una Jordan at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery

On Thursday 29th March we have a special all-day workshop at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery with Una Jordan. Starting at 10.00, with lunch included at the fabulous Treat Café and finishing at 16.00, you will go home with your beautiful hand-stitched, hard-covered A5 journal.....to keep or to give to someone special! The class costs €62 including lunch and materials. Only 3 places left so phone 087 6193870 if you want to book your place!

NUI Galway Arts & Theatre Office and Galway Crochet Craft celebrate Traditional Irish Lacemaking

These are just some of the samples of Irish lace shown at the Vintage Lace and Fashion Show at NUI Galway on Tuesday 20th March. Anne Quinn of Galway Crochet Craft is our crochet tutor at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery and a member of the Traditional Lacemakers of Ireland (see www.traditionallaceireland.com). It's nice to think that eventhough we are only beginners at crochet here at Le Grá we are (slowly!) following in the footsteps of some amazing traditional Irish craft-makers!

Introducing delightful jewellery by Bead Bash at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery

We are delighted to introduce these beautiful, colourful necklaces, earrings and bracelets by Bead Bash now available at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery. These make wonderful gifts and are handmade with love and care right here in Galway!

Crochet Classes going down a storm (in a teapot!) at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery

We have now completed 3 of 5 classes with Anne Quinn at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery. So far we have learned:

• chain stitch, slip stitch, double crochet, treble crochet, double treble
• combinations of these to achieve basket weave and popcorn and five different flowers and a shamrock!

And we have made phone covers, headbands and tea-cosies.

Every week Anne also brings along some work completed by herself and others to show us different styles, stitches and ideas.

Sewing Skills Workshop: Make a Summer Skirt with Veronika Feldmann

Summer Skirt workshop with Veronika Feldmann

2 x 2hr classes €32 on Wednesday 28th March and 4th April from 18.30 to 20.30 at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery.

A-line skirt in length of your choice consisting of 1 front and 1 back piece with a zip in the left seam.

You need:

• Fabric of your choice – 2 times the required length of your skirt.
  (measure the length from your waist down and decide what you prefer)
• Matching thread
• 1 invisible or ordinary zip in a matching colour about 18cm long.
• Decoration of your choice (ribbon, trimmings)
• Your sewing kit containing scissors, measuring tape, pins and a sewing machine if you have one.
  

For further information phone Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery 087 6193870

Felted Purse workshop at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery on Saturday 31st March

Agnieszka Rupnik of 'Knit Spin Felt' returns to Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery on Saturday 31st March for her popular feltmaking classes.
This time Aga will show us the technique of resist felting to create a cute seamless purse for all our bits and bobs.
We will explore the addition of textures with plastic, mesh, fabric etc.
And then finish with some embroidery to add a further dimension to the finished purse.
The workshop is from 15.00 to 17.30 and for €27 it includes the materials needed (merino wool for the base and decoration, metallic mesh, plastic mesh, soapy water and bubble wrap).
But please bring along an old towel (to catch drips) some loosely woven fabrics for decoration, an embroidery needle and a selection of threads.
See some more photos here at http://www.flickr.com/photos/8447160@N07/sets/72157629207410700/

Beginners Patchwork Class: piecing over papers

"Tumbling Blocks"

"Grandmother's Flower Garden"

are just two patterns that are best achieved by using the piecing over papers technique.

Join us on Friday 9th March 10.30 - 12.30 at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery for this 2hr workshop (€16). Phone 087 6193870 to book your place.

Le Grá introduces the work of local artist Breda Fox

Galway-based artist, Breda Fox has been painting for the past fifteen years. She uses various mediums such as Watercolours, Oils and Pastels.
Her recent work focuses more on the use of oils taking her inspiration from nature and flowers in particular.

Breda's work is now available to view at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery.

Crochet Classes with Anne Quinn

Today we had our second of 5 crochet classes with Anne Quinn. Some brought in their phone covers with flowers that we learned last week. And Anne had some more samples of work to show us. Hats, tea-cosies and lace doilies.

Today we learned another way to mix double-crochet and chain stitches to create a hairband. We also looked at another pattern for a flower and also how to make a 'popcorn' stitch.

We're finding that even with a few basic skills, the work comes together fairly quickly and the stitches can be combined in different ways to create different effects.

If you would like to learn to crochet, just get in touch 087 6193870 and book your place on the next course of crochet.

Getting to know your sewing machine with Berni McCabe

A course of 3 classes from 10.30 to 13.00 starts this Thursday 8th March at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery for €60. To book phone 087 6193870.

Berni McCabe's sewing skills class is very popular here at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery. If you would like to spend some time getting to know how to thread the machine properly, fill a bobbin, adjust the stitch tension and get to know what all the buttons and attachments are for then this is the class for you.

Practical projects take you through all the basics of sewing in a straight line, starting and finishing, different seam finishes, putting in a zip and lots more.

Learn how to create a hand-bound book at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery

Book your place now in our upcoming full-day workshop with Una Jordan and learn how to create your own hand-bound journal. For full details phone 087 6193870.

Eimear Brennan at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery

Framed limited prints of Eimear Brennan's pen and ink drawings are available at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery. Her work is inspired by myth, magic, folklore and fairytale. So drop by and be transported to her mystical world!

For more info see www.eimearbrennan.com.

2nd week of sewing skills with Berni McCabe

Berni returned to Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery tonight to help everyone acquire some additional sewing skills. French seams, bound seams, bias binding.....phew that's a lot of extra skills acquired in one evening of enjoyable sewing. It may look like just a wee bag, but you should see the finish these ladies achieved after only 2 classes! These machines may have been lurking in cupboards unused for a while.....but they're being put through their paces now!

Crochet classes with Anne Quinn at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery

We are delighted to welcome crochet tutor, Anne Quinn to Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery. And today was a busy morning as beginner's learned how to hold the hook, feed the yarn, create a foundation chain stitch and double crochet. With these skills we started our first project: a mobile phone cover. Wasting no time Anne showed us how to create our first flower motif. And even a quick run through picot stitch (which we will cover in more detail in another lesson).

We were hooked!

Anne brought along a number of examples to show us.

And showed us some alternative possibilities for crochet....using coloured wires and a selection of beads these necklaces can be created.

Anne had a beautiful christening robe, bonnet and shawl as well as these little booties, rosary bead set and an example of lace-making.

Although we are only beginners, we have been inspired to practice and perhaps one day we can aim to create some heirlooms like Anne's work!

Only 2 places left on our Wednesday morning crochet class!

Anne Quinn's crochet class will take place at Le Grá Craft Studio and Gallery every Wednesday for the next 5 weeks from 10.30 to 12.30 starting on 29th February. The course costs €75 (includes a hook and a ball of wool). The course will take you from beginner to intermediate level and you will complete a number of projects along the way. Come and join us for a relaxed morning learning new skills! Phone 087 6193870 to book your place.

Snuggly sock animals invade local school!

Where do all the missing socks go? It seems they come to life at the hands of the creative children of Claregalway Educate Together National School! This invasion of snuggly sock animals in the 3rd/4th classroom was the result of a recent sewing workshop at the school.

Well done to all the children for creating such a characterful bunch of snuggly sock animals!